Your cover letter provides a summary of your education, experience and skills for an employer. The first paragraph should inform the employer about the position that you are applying for and why this job interests you. In the second paragraph, describe your professional and academic experiences, including why your skills are needed for this position. The third paragraph summarizes your letter and should also request a meeting with the employer. You should also inform the employer that your resume is attached and thank them for considering you for this position.

Leadership Skills

Whether you are applying for an entry-level position or a managerial job, employers want to know about your leadership skills. Perhaps you launched a new program or organized an event. Provide specific information about how you displayed leadership skills at a former job by increasing profits or sales. For example, you can write, "I created a new program that increased sales by 50 percent for the company."

Communications Skills

Employers are looking for candidates with good communications skills. Depending on the position, candidates might have to interact with staff, colleagues at other companies, customers and the general public. In your cover letter, discuss how you used your communication skills in previous positions, including creating presentations and interacting with others. Your cover letter can say, "When customers complained about programs, I would call them directly or send an email to address their concerns."

Technical Skills

Depending on the position, there are specific skills necessary to perform jobs in different fields. For medical positions, candidates should be comfortable using medical equipment on patients or to analyze laboratory results. In the graphic design industry, candidates should be knowledgeable about graphic computer programs. Your cover letter should provide in-depth information about your technical skills, including education, language and computer skills. For example, you could write, "In my last position, I worked extensively with a proprietary database management program to track the company's inventory."

Personal Character Traits

Are you a hard worker or a multitasker? Your cover letter should describe your personal traits by highlighting your strengths and work style. Use descriptive words that will best display your skills and make you stand out from the crowd. Employers are interested in learning more about your personal character and how you will succeed working for their company. In your cover letter, you can write, "I am a quick learner and enjoy working in a team environment."

About the Author

Dachell McSween has contributed to the "New York Daily News" and "Black Enterprise Magazine." She also writes for various online publications. McSween received a B.A. in journalism from Pace University and an M.S. in publishing from New York University.